2 Ways to Make a Spider-Man Web Shooter Prop

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Upgrade your Spider-Man cosplay with a DIY web shooter
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If you’re a fan of The Amazing Spider-Man , you may have dreamed of having your own web shooter like the ones Peter Parker designed to aid in his fight against the bad guys. Good news—you can! With a few basic materials like craft foam or PVC pipe, glue, paint, and Velcro, you can put together your own prop web shooter in just a few minutes. It may not shoot webbing like the real thing, but with the right touches it will look almost just as good as the ones from the comics or movies. Perfect for Halloween costumes or cosplay!

Making a Spider-Man Web Shooter: Quick Steps

  1. Draw a central wrist piece in whatever shape you like on paper.
  2. Use your sketch as a template to cut a wrist piece out of craft foam.
  3. Cut 12 to 16 small rectangles of craft foam for wrist straps.
  4. Glue all the wrist strap pieces together with the wrist piece at the center.
  5. Attach velcro to the ends of the wrist straps to secure them on your wrist.
  6. Add a foam trigger piece and plastic straw to mimic web dispensers.
  7. Repeat to make a second prop for your other wrist.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making Prop Web Shooters out of Craft Foam

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  1. Think about how you want the main wrist piece of your web shooters to look. Your wrist piece might be a rectangle, hexagon, oval, or a more complex shape. Once you’ve decided on a design, sketch it out on a blank sheet of paper. [1]
    • No matter what shape you choose to make your outline, it should be about the same length as your palm and no wider than your wrist.
    • Take inspiration from your favorite style of web shooters from the comics, or come with your own original design.
    • Sketch your web shooters in pencil so you can make changes easily if needed.
  2. Guide your scissors along the lines you just drew, cutting slowly and carefully to avoid mistakes. When you’re done, you’ll have a handy template that you can use to recreate your design with your craft foam and other materials.
    • You can use the same template if you decide to make a second web shooter prop later on.
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  3. Place the design you just cut out in the center of a sheet of 5mm-thick craft foam . Run your pencil lightly around the edges of the design. Then, remove the paper and cut along the pencil lines to create the same shape out of foam. Repeat the process with a second piece of foam to make an identical wrist piece for your opposite hand. [2]
    • You can find craft foam at any craft store or online.
    • If possible, use gray or black foam. If you’re unable to find foam in one of these colors, you can always paint it later.
    • You may have trouble getting your scissors through the thick foam. If you encounter a lot of resistance, consider using a utility knife like an X-Acto knife instead. Just be sure to ask your parents before you do!

    Tip: To give your web shooters more detail, cut a smaller shape or emblem, such as a spider, out of a second sheet of red craft foam and glue this piece on top of the main wrist piece.

  4. The easiest way to do this is to draw a single 3x2cm (1.2x0.8in) rectangle on a piece of paper, then cut out the shape and use it as a template for your foam pieces. That way, they’ll all be the same size. The foam rectangles form the wrist straps for your web shooters, so make as many as you need to fit around both wrists comfortably—usually, between 12 and 16 will do. [3]
    • If you’re not sure how many rectangles to cut, measure your wrist in centimeters and divide the number you get by two. This will tell you exactly how many you need for each web shooter.
  5. To make your cosplay or costume more accurate, paint your foam pieces to match the web shooters from the Amazing Spider-Man comics or films. With a foam paint brush , brush one side of each foam piece with a coat of acrylic craft paint and allow it to dry for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, flip over the pieces and paint the opposite side. Let dry for 5 to 10 minutes.
    • In the newer comics and movies, Spider-Man’s web shooters are almost always gray or black. However, you can also add a few accents in red or another color, if you’d like. [4]
    • Feel free to customize your web shooters however you want. It’s your project, so have fun and use your imagination!
  6. Lay out your foam rectangles side-by-side on your work surface. Place the wrist pieces in the center of each line of rectangles. Squeeze a line of hot glue onto the inside edge of one of the end pieces with a hot glue gun , then press it to the outside edge of the piece next to it. Keep gluing like this all the way down the line. Let the glue dry for about 5 minutes. [5]
    • Each time you glue 2 pieces, clamp them together for 10 to 20 seconds to make sure the glue bonds securely.
    • Ask a parent or older siblings for help if you’ve never worked with hot glue before.
  7. Cut two soft strips and two rough strips of Velcro to a length of 3cm (1.2in) each to match the length of the foam pieces. Dab 2-3 dots of hot glue onto the back of each strip. Press a strip to the inner face of one of the end pieces and stick the other to the outer face of the piece on the opposite end. Do the same for second web shooter. [6]
    • Make sure you get the uncut strips of Velcro so you can trim it to the correct length yourself. Pre-cut squares may be too small.
    • Make sure the Velcro pieces are facing the opposite direction so your web shooters will fasten properly.
  8. A keyhole is like a thin rectangle that narrows to a circle at one end. Measure the rectangle so that it’s just long enough to reach from the wrist strap of your web shooter to your palm. Once you’ve cut the two keyhole pieces out of a sheet of 3 millimetres (0.30 cm) craft foam , glue one to the back of each wrist piece with hot glue . [7]
    • Sketch the keyhole shape on paper and cut it out to use it as a template when cutting the craft foam.
    • You can make your trigger piece black like the rest of your web shooters or paint it a contrasting color, like silver.
    • If your trigger piece doesn’t lay across your palm the way it’s supposed to, glue a piece of metal wire to the backside. This will allow you to bend it into a shape that will better fit your hand.
  9. Take your scissors and snip two 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces from the ends of a clear plastic drinking straw . Then, cut a horizontal rectangular notch at the top of the foam wrist piece on both of your web shooters, just wide enough to fit the straws into. Dab the bottom edge of the straws with hot glue and slip them inside the notches. [8]
    • Adding a webbing nozzle to your web shooters is optional, but it will give them a more realistic, functional look—even if they don’t really shoot webs.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Crafting Classic Web Shooters from PVC Pipe

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  1. Mark the PVC pipe in regular increments to indicate where each piece will begin and end. Then, cut it into individual segments using a hacksaw or similar tool. Work slowly and carefully to avoid accidents. [9]
    • For this style of web shooter, you can either make the pipe segments completely encircle your arm or concentrate them in the area on the inside of your wrist. Be sure to cut an appropriate number of pieces to bring your preferred design to life. [10]
    • The exact number of pipe segments you cut will depend on the size of your wrist and the specific design you go with.

    Warning: Be extremely cautious when cutting the PVC. Get a parent to help you if you’ve never used a saw before.

  2. Do this in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, and wear a mask. Stand the pieces up on a sheet of scrap cardboard or newspaper. Shake your silver spray paint can a few times to make sure the paint is thoroughly mixed, then press and hold the button on the back while waving the nozzle over the PVC in smooth, slow strokes. Make as many passes as needed to completely coat the pieces. [11]
    • You could also paint your PVC pieces by hand using silver acrylic craft paint , though this will take quite a bit longer.
    • Choose a metallic paint color to give your web shooters a more realistic finish.
  3. The pipe segments need to be dry to the touch before you continue working with them. Otherwise, the paint may smudge or rub off on your hands, clothing, or other objects. [12]
    • Situate the freshly-painted pieces in a warm, dry place with good ventilation to speed up their dry time.
    • While the PVC is drying, you can go ahead and begin putting together the other components for your web shooters.
  4. Cut a roll of soft Velcro into a strip just long enough to fit around your wrist. Make a second, slightly larger strap to go around the middle of your forearm. When you’re done, cut 2 small squares from a second roll of rough, adhesive Velcro , peel off their backs, and stick them onto the inside of one end of each wrist strap.
    • Attaching the opposing Velcro pieces will allow you to fasten and unfasten your wrist straps quickly.
    • Your wrist straps should be no further apart on your forearm than the length of your PVC segments.
  5. Snip what’s left of your strip of rough Velcro into 1 ⁄ 2 to 1 in (1.3 to 2.5 cm) squares. Attach a square to the top and bottom of each pipe segment, on the same side of each one.
    • All in all, you’ll need double the amount of Velcro squares as the number of pipe segments you cut. If you have 6 segments, for example, you’ll need a total of 12 squares of Velcro.
    • Make sure you have enough Velcro to cut all of the squares you need, along with the wrist straps themselves. It may be a good idea to buy extra, just in case.
  6. All you have to do now is press the pipe segments into place around the soft Velcro wrist straps. As mentioned, you can position them all the way around your wrist or group three to four together on the inside of your arm just over your palm. Once you’ve got all your web canisters in place, you’re ready for action!
    • If you want to make a second Spider-man web-shooter prop for your other hand, simply double up on the amount of materials you buy and repeat the preceding steps.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can you make a web shooter prop with household items?
    Community Answer
    You can make one with Velcro, a belt, superglue, a retractable key chain, and a watch. Cut the belt into your correct size and superglue Velcro onto the belt. Open the watch, remove the components, drill a hole in the watch, and cut the end of the retractable key chain (but don't let go). Feed the string through and glue the string back to the key chain. Glue the key chain onto the bottom inside of the watch lid and screw back tight. Attach Velcro on top of the belt and Velcro or glue the watch on top.
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    Not Helpful 18 Helpful 67
  • Question
    How did Peter Parker make his web shooters?
    Community Answer
    Originally he had a spray nozzle and a little pumping thing, but immediately after made smaller versions and attached one on each wrist that would "operate by the slightest pressure of any finger." Other than later saying he used chemicals that remain unspecified, he said that he put "some strong liquid cement at the end." Other versions have been made, such as web shooters that operate by double tapping them and shoot spider tracers, and recently created fancier ones that can shoot chain webbing, acid webbing, concrete webbing, and the like.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 32 Helpful 94
  • Question
    How do I make the web sticky?
    Community Answer
    I would recommend using something like transparent glue, although it would be difficult to "shoot."
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      • Check out various Spider-Man comics, movies, and games to get more inspiration for designing your own DIY web shooters.
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      • Professional cosplayer Naiquan Midyett says, "If you own or have access to a 3D printer, find a template and print out a web-shooter prop that won’t require glue or velcro."
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      Things You’ll Need

      Making Prop Web Shooters out of Craft Foam

      Crafting Classic Web Shooters from PVC Pipe

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHUCHsynabM&feature=youtu.be&t=44
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHUCHsynabM&feature=youtu.be&t=49
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHUCHsynabM&feature=youtu.be&t=60
      4. ↑ https://www.cbr.com/spider-mans-web-shooters-15-things-you-never-knew/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHUCHsynabM&feature=youtu.be&t=76
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHUCHsynabM&feature=youtu.be&t=82
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRsEkQuapos&feature=youtu.be&t=188
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHUCHsynabM&feature=youtu.be&t=54
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/SK1EXs8qE3s?t=100
      1. ↑ https://www.cbr.com/spider-mans-web-shooters-15-things-you-never-knew/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/3XDQ5XIICXM?t=133
      3. ↑ https://simplyhometips.com/spray-paint-drying-time/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      You can create your own Spider-Man web shooter prop with some PVC pipe, a can of silver spray paint, and a pair of Velcro wrist straps. Start by cutting 8 pieces of 1 inch PVC pipe into 2.2-inch sections with a hacksaw. Then, stand the pieces up on a piece of scrap cardboard and paint them with silver spray paint so they’re evenly coated and let them dry for an hour. While they’re drying, cut a roll of soft Velcro into 2 strips long enough to fit around your wrist. Then, cut 2 small squares from the adhesive Velcro, peel off their backs, and stick them onto the inside of each strap. Attach 2 strips of adhesive Velcro to each PVC piece, then attach them to your wrist straps to form your prop. To learn how to make a prop web shooter out of craft foam, keep reading!

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      • Anonymous

        Jun 14, 2016

        "What stood out most to me was the method of making a pipe prop."
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